AFL asks WA Government for contingency plans to host grand final
Peter LawThe West Australian
Thu, 5 August 2021 8:00PMComments
Peter Law
The AFL has requested the WA Government draw up contingency plans to stage the grand final and finals matches at Optus Stadium.
The AFL has requested the WA Government draw up contingency plans to stage the grand final and finals matches at Optus Stadium.
League bosses inquired about potentially moving football’s showpiece to Perth after Victoria was plunged back into a seven-day lockdown to contain yet another COVID-19 outbreak.
The cluster of Delta variant cases has thrown into doubt plans for large crowds to be permitted in Melbourne by the time the finals start in the first weekend of September.
There’s only 50 days until the grand final — pencilled in for Saturday, September 25 — and it appears increasingly unlikely 100,000 fans will be allowed to pack into the MCG.
“As we have shown last year and this year, WA and Optus Stadium offer some of the best facilities and the safest environment for major events,” a State Government spokesman said.
“The AFL has now approached Optus Stadium to develop a potential contingency plan for the AFL grand final and potential AFL finals.
This planning work will be developed in conjunction with the relevant State Government agencies, on advice of the Chief Health Officer.
“This is just contingency planning. Our preference is for COVID-19 situation to improve across the country.”
Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said the 60,000-seat venue had a proven track record of being able to host major events at short notice and back-to-back matches.
The AFL last year selected Brisbane’s Gabba for the grand final after the Queensland Government used taxpayers’ money to secure the event and welcomed players’ families into the State.
AFL Grand Final between the Richmond and Geelong at the Gabba in 2020. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE
Entry into WA — which has a closed border with the entire country except Tasmania — for players, club staff and officials, as well as potentially family members, will be a focus of the talks in coming weeks.
Another challenge is the limited resort-style accommodation in Perth that would allow players to be separated from the public but not confined to their rooms. The two obvious options being Crown and Joondalup Resort.
But with Victoria joining south-east Queensland and Sydney in lockdown, the AFL is desperate to save its season and the only venue that could rival Optus Stadium is the smaller Adelaide Oval.
WA also impressed the footy world when Optus Stadium staged the Dreamtime clash between Richmond and Essendon in June in front of 55,000 fans.
Optus stadium lit up for the Dreamtime AFL game. Credit: Cody H/Instagram
If the ladder was to remain unchanged over the remaining three rounds of the season, there’s now a prospect West Coast and Fremantle — sitting seventh and eighth — could play finals in front of home fans.
The finals series is scheduled to be played over four consecutive weekends in September, which could be an incredible festival of football for fans and a money-spinner for local businesses.
“Our hearts are with the millions of Australians in lockdown on the eastern seaboard,” the State Government spokesman added. “Our friends in Victoria have now entered their sixth lockdown — which is the right move to crush this Delta variant in the best interests of the whole country, and we hope the situation can improve quickly.
“The AFL have a long-term contract with the MCG for the grand final and we hope the event can occur safely, free of any COVID restrictions.
It’s understood the AFL has accepted the remaining home-and-away fixtures could be played in empty stadiums on the east coast, but is desperate for large crowds to return for the finals. The Eagles will take on the Demons at Optus Stadium in front of a crowd of up to 60,000 on Monday night.
Peter LawThe West Australian
Thu, 5 August 2021 8:00PMComments
Peter Law
The AFL has requested the WA Government draw up contingency plans to stage the grand final and finals matches at Optus Stadium.
The AFL has requested the WA Government draw up contingency plans to stage the grand final and finals matches at Optus Stadium.
League bosses inquired about potentially moving football’s showpiece to Perth after Victoria was plunged back into a seven-day lockdown to contain yet another COVID-19 outbreak.
The cluster of Delta variant cases has thrown into doubt plans for large crowds to be permitted in Melbourne by the time the finals start in the first weekend of September.
There’s only 50 days until the grand final — pencilled in for Saturday, September 25 — and it appears increasingly unlikely 100,000 fans will be allowed to pack into the MCG.
“As we have shown last year and this year, WA and Optus Stadium offer some of the best facilities and the safest environment for major events,” a State Government spokesman said.
“The AFL has now approached Optus Stadium to develop a potential contingency plan for the AFL grand final and potential AFL finals.
This planning work will be developed in conjunction with the relevant State Government agencies, on advice of the Chief Health Officer.
“This is just contingency planning. Our preference is for COVID-19 situation to improve across the country.”
Optus Stadium chief executive Mike McKenna said the 60,000-seat venue had a proven track record of being able to host major events at short notice and back-to-back matches.
The AFL last year selected Brisbane’s Gabba for the grand final after the Queensland Government used taxpayers’ money to secure the event and welcomed players’ families into the State.
AFL Grand Final between the Richmond and Geelong at the Gabba in 2020. Credit: DARREN ENGLAND/AAPIMAGE
Entry into WA — which has a closed border with the entire country except Tasmania — for players, club staff and officials, as well as potentially family members, will be a focus of the talks in coming weeks.
Another challenge is the limited resort-style accommodation in Perth that would allow players to be separated from the public but not confined to their rooms. The two obvious options being Crown and Joondalup Resort.
But with Victoria joining south-east Queensland and Sydney in lockdown, the AFL is desperate to save its season and the only venue that could rival Optus Stadium is the smaller Adelaide Oval.
WA also impressed the footy world when Optus Stadium staged the Dreamtime clash between Richmond and Essendon in June in front of 55,000 fans.
If the ladder was to remain unchanged over the remaining three rounds of the season, there’s now a prospect West Coast and Fremantle — sitting seventh and eighth — could play finals in front of home fans.
The finals series is scheduled to be played over four consecutive weekends in September, which could be an incredible festival of football for fans and a money-spinner for local businesses.
“Our hearts are with the millions of Australians in lockdown on the eastern seaboard,” the State Government spokesman added. “Our friends in Victoria have now entered their sixth lockdown — which is the right move to crush this Delta variant in the best interests of the whole country, and we hope the situation can improve quickly.
“The AFL have a long-term contract with the MCG for the grand final and we hope the event can occur safely, free of any COVID restrictions.
It’s understood the AFL has accepted the remaining home-and-away fixtures could be played in empty stadiums on the east coast, but is desperate for large crowds to return for the finals. The Eagles will take on the Demons at Optus Stadium in front of a crowd of up to 60,000 on Monday night.
